10 Things That Are Worth The Money
I scoop ice out of our beverage station about five times a day, which I’m aware is a lot of ice. That’s because it’s stocked with nugget ice — the crunchy kind you only get at a very good drive-thru. Between the five of us, that machine barely rests. It has its own water line, so it fills itself, and we have a never-ending supply of ice. It feels like a luxury because it is.
There’s a prompt going around Instagram and TikTok about splurges that were actually worth it, and writing mine out taught me something about myself: We have never once regretted money spent on the everyday. Not a single showpiece on this list. Sheets. Soap. Ice. A kitchen knife. Paint. The things we use every day. All day. And they feel extraordinary.
Ten of our favorite investments, in no particular order:
If we spend a third of our lives in bed, we should absolutely treat ourselves to the best possible experience. And these sheets? Like a 5-star resort in your own home. I can’t say enough good things about them. We’ve gifted them to our whole team for Christmas. I’ve given them to my parents. They make me look forward to bedtime (more than I already do). There’s a reason they’re first on the list.
When I was pregnant with all three girls, I had to have Sonic ice nonstop. I got addicted to that crunchy cold pebble ice. Now, I “drive by” the built-in nugget ice maker in our beverage station multiple time a day. It’s SO worth the built-in appliance. This wasn’t gifted or sponsored. We bought it with our own money. And if it broke, we’d buy it again.
Most of the lighting in our home is Visual Comfort — partly for the quality, but also because it’s one of the brands that makes fixtures in the larger sizes a room actually needs. Scale is important to me, and I will never skimp on lighting.
4. High Quality Paint
Paint Color: Farrow & Ball London Clay
The best type of paint is the best you can afford. The payoff: better coverage (fewer coats), a more even and durable finish, truer color, and it holds up to cleaning and time. My go-tos are Farrow & Ball and Sherwin-Williams’ Emerald line, while Valspar Signature and Benjamin Moore Aura are other popular top-tier options.
The Kohler Intelligent Toilet is a total game-changer: heated seat, a nightlight, automatic open-and-close when you walk in the room… automatic flushing… It’s sleek and tankless with a back-to-wall design that hides every connection for a streamlined look. I know what you’re thinking: For that price, it better clean itself. It does.
6. Hiring an expert tile installer
You CAN tile yourself (and we have), but I’ve started hiring it out and have not looked back. I once spent weeks hand-dyeing 1,500 square feet of grout on my knees to fix a bad install. A careless job costs you twice, so hire a true expert and you’ll only pay once.
Every time someone comes out of our powder room, they ask, “What’s that hand soap!?” I love that compliment 🙂 There are a few scents, but my pick is Miami: it’s a bright citrus, with soft white florals and warm cashmere. Yes, it’s a splurge — but grab the refills and even washing your hands turns into a boutique hotel experience right at home.
Frontgate is my go-to for outdoor furniture because it nails that traditional-meets-modern sweet spot and wraps it in high-performance Sunbrella fabric. Ours have survived four years of North Carolina humidity, and with one power-wash cleaning a year, they’re back to bright.
According to Chris (our in-house cook), Made In’s Japanese Damascus gyuto knife is a near-perfect blade. It’s forged, folded steel that’s tough, with a high-carbon edge that holds forever. It cuts like a dream; just treat it right (no dishwasher ever!), and it’ll be a lifelong kitchen companion.
Framebridge has been our go-to custom framer for 10 years because they have the most gorgeous assortment of heirloom-quality frames. Whether I’m framing art or photos or mementos, it’s always Framebridge. I love that their curated gallery walls come with a hanging guide and the nails. It’s the easiest project with the highest joy quotient, which is exactly why I curated six of my own “instant” gallery walls for the Chris Loves Julia x Framebridge collection — just upload your photos or images, and you’re halfway there.
What are your favorite indulgences?
